For the second straight week, Peter Maetzold will be under center for the Rams as the team’s No.1 quarterback, Michael Nebrich, center, remains sidelined as he recovers from an appendectomy he underwent last week.Neil Miller

As a true freshman three seasons ago, the Friendswood, Texas, native began the season as the Rams’ starting quarterback, but was supplanted by Ryan Higgins in the midst of a 1-10 campaign that resulted in head coach Tom Masella getting fired.

Now a senior, Maetzold has bided his time. With a victory on Friday night at Bucknell (6:30 p.m., CBSSN, WFUV 90.7 FM), the Rams will win the Patriot League and secure an automatic bid to the FCS playoffs.

“The good thing about Peter is he has some game experience and some quality reps in the bank in his time here,” Fordham coach Joe Moorhead said in a phone interview. “His approach to the game is very important. He practices like a starter.”

For the second straight week, Maetzold will be under center for the Rams as the team’s No.1 quarterback, Michael Nebrich, remains sidelined as he recovers from an appendectomy he underwent last week.

His status for the final two games of the regular season is uncertain and Moorhead said the senior will be reevaluated on Monday.

Last week, Maetzold was productive in a 37-13 victory over Colgate, completing 27-of-38 passes for 279 yards and three touchdowns, while also throwing an interception.

The 8-1 Rams are firing on all cylinders, winning seven straight games by an average of 32.1 points since suffering a 50-6 loss at Villanova on Sept. 6.

“They’ve done a tremendous job since the Villanova game [in terms of] what it takes to be successful [and] how it pertains to our preparation,” Moorhead said.

However, none of those wins came against a team that currently has a winning record, and heading into the weekend, WarrenNolan.com rated the Rams’ strength of schedule as 108th in the FCS.

Now they’ll step up a weight class to face the 7-1 Bison, whose only loss came at Bryant on Oct. 4.

“Offensively, they run the ball very well with C.J. Williams,” Moorhead said of the sophomore running back who is averaging 5.4 yards per carry. “[Sophomore] Will Carter leads the league in receiving yards per game [101.7]. Any time a team can run and pass with equal effectiveness, you have to be on top of your assignments and defend both.”

In addition to a balanced offense, Bucknell has a stingy defense, as it leads the Patriot League by allowing only 299.9 yards per game.

As tough a challenge as Bucknell may present, the Rams are on a roll, and Moorhead said the team’s strong play was born out of getting shellacked by Villanova two months ago.

“I think, overall, from an entire perspective, that game was a tremendous wake-up call,” Moorhead said. “After last season ended, we were given a lot of accolades and had a lofty preseason ranking. We had a big win to start the season, and we didn’t have a great week of prep for Villanova.

“It was an unacceptable performance — coaching, defense, special teams. After that game, we recommitted to what allowed us to be successful — in all phases of the game we really got back to what allowed us to be successful.”